Dashing Young Man

About six years ago, Ryan Irvine's wife developed a gluten allergy, prompting the couple to ditch their craft beer obsession in favor of cocktails. "The challenge naturally became, How do I improve these drinks?" says the 32-year-old software architect. So he started tinkering with an aromatic bitters mix that uses cardamom, clove and Chinese five-spice powder. After years of experimentation and months of legal wrangling, Full Measure Bitters became the first company in Ohio to legally sell and manufacture bitters. Available since February, his bitters are sold at shops such as Happy Hour Collection and Downtown Liquor, and used in cocktails at spots such as Velvet Tango Room and Society Lounge. "I really wanted to be able to sell it legally to my bartender friends," he says.